Summary
Open-world gamesare some of the most popular games out there, and many of them have become champions of modern gaming, such as titles likeSkyrimand recent entries in thePokemonseries. Most open-world games involve combat in some way, so players often seek out methods to make that combat suited to them and their playstyle. Whether it be guns, swords, magic, or something else, there’s a game out there with a combat system for everyone.
Every player has their own style when it comes to combat, and some prefer when there is a lot of flexibility available. Whether it be in the form of skill trees, weapon proficiencies, armor styles, or abilities, these games offer tons of options to their players and allow for multiple build types. With that in mind, here are10 of the most flexible combat systems in open-world gaming.
Goodness, the wild things that can be done withSkyrim’scombat system will never cease to amaze. Video after video continues to be published on YouTube, highlighting all the fun, wacky things players can do in the game; from skooma-induced rage sprees to killing enemies by slipping poison in their pockets, this game’s got it all. It speaks volumes to a game’s success when fans of the franchise are still makingnew and originalcontent about it even years after its initial release.
From magic to swords and bows, players have their pick of a multitude of unique ways to try out combat inSkyrim. Play it safe with a basic sneaky archer,charge into battle head-onwith axes and swords, or just blast enemies in the face with magic until they can’t feel anything anymore. Or, get creative and switch things up! Try a mage build that branches into the stealth side of things and fling magic at enemies from afar, or become a juggernaut who lurks in the shadows, watching and waiting to bash some skulls with poisoned weapons. The world ofSkyrimis the player’s oyster!
Yet another title with a beautiful variety of weapons and character builds,We Happy Fewgives players tons of options to defend themselves with. From baseball bats to cattle prods andliteral bombs,there is no shortage of options when it comes to combat. Players can also choose to adorn themselves with various armors and outfits, and they can disperse skill points across their diverse skill tree as they see fit, meaning that there are multiple possible character builds for players to choose from.
Of course, this game tends to discourage combat in “proper society,” but this also gives players the option to be totally pacifist in the sense that they don’t actually have to kill anyone. When players eventually leave Wellington Wells, it’s like the wild west, and they can go bonking people over the head with lead pipes and whatnot as they see fit. This game boasts a very engaging and interesting storyline for players to follow, and equally interesting (and inventive) weapons to carry along with them.
Players have bartered with Mojang for years, constantly asking them to fix and improveMinecraft’scombat system. As a result of all those years ofbeggingbargaining, Mojang has reworked the system into something much more satisfying for its players. Of course, players tend to gravitate towards the good old axe-and-shield combo, but there are tons of other weapon types and enchantments available for players to experiment with in thisinfinitely-generated game.
This started when Mojang made the axe do more damage than the sword, and from then on,Minecraft’scombat hasn’t gone back. Swords? Nah, they’re a thing of the past. Diamond is the best? Think again, because Netherite has taken its place as top ore. From crossbows to maces and more,Minecrafthas a plethora of unique weapons for players to acquire and experiment with, and tons of enchantments for players to choose from to fully customize and power up their weapons.
InSun Haven,players (as they do in most fantasy RPGs) are able to choose from a variety of species to play as, from boring old humans all the way to people that are just straight-up half snakes. Of course, different species excel in different areas, with humans being the most versatile, and this means that players are encouraged to tinker and experiment with different builds.
Sun Havenisa beautiful, pixelated worldfilled to the brim with magic and mystery. Players can train in melee combat, learn to be a sharpshooter with bows, or become a proficient user of magic and simply burn enemies to a crisp. This game has tons of content to offer players, as well as fun storylines, unique characters, and a totally open-world game that - by the way - has an option to be either single-player or an MMO.
WhileDarksiders 2may not have the most expansive array of character build options, players are still free to pick up and wield/use the armor and weapons they find as they see fit. Whether they’d prefer a hammer, scythes, or guns, Death is proficient with them all, and can even use his weapons while astride his trusty steed, Despair. This game also has a great level-up system, like the otherDarksidersgames, and allows players to choose which boosters to add to their weapons, which skills to unlock, and so on.
Ride as one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse in this amazing title and joinDeath himselfon his journey to rescue his brother, War. This game’s combat system supports all sorts of play styles, and players are free to bash enemy skulls in however they see fit, and it will be 100% awesome the entire time.Darksiders 2is the perfect choice for players who enjoy high fantasy hack-and-slash games with a variety of supported play styles.
Elden Ringis a challenging Soulslike game that presents the player with no shortage of combat encounters. However,Elden Ringgives players the versatility of several class options, each withtheir own weapon specialtiesand armor types. Play as a noble samurai and wield a sleek katana, or smash enemies to a pulp with a variety of comically large and heavy weapons like a chaos-inducing vagabond.
Elden Ringmay be difficult, but it provides players with a diverse array of builds, weapons, and classes to try out in order to get the job done. From swords to hammers to spears, players can try out an endless number of combinations and see what works best for their play style; feel free to get creative and give light to the unconventional inElden Ring’scombat.
Official Site
Conquer’s Official Site
Despite its long-lived history on the internet,Conquer Onlinestill boasts an impressive player base, and an equally impressive selection when it comes to players' classes and weapons. Archers, warriors, trojans, and any combination/variant thereof are available for players to test out. Prefer to hang back and dish out damage from the side? An Archer is the perfect class for that. Want to rush into combat head first and be the primary tank? A Trojan is what these players are looking for.
Conquer Onlinealso has a huge diversity of weapons with all kinds of sockets and enchantments available to place on them. Swords, shields, bows, magical damage,Conquer’sgot all of it and more. Players can team up with others to take down threats, or they can ride solo and do it all by themselves if they so wish. Level up, experience rebirth, and customize every avatar to make it totally unique.
Fallout 76may not have a class system like other games, but that doesn’t mean anything in terms of available play styles. In fact, not limiting players to one class or the other allows them to pick up whatever weapons they see fit, and place their hard-earned skill points into their skill tree as they level up. Become a gunslinger, a melee fighter, or a walking threat with the game’s power armor and level the playing field while vaporizing enemies.
Explore a gargantuan map and discover irradiated horrors beyond human comprehension in a post-nuclear war setting. Traverse nuke-scorched landscapes and lay waste to the monsters lurking all over the place, all while interacting with vibrant NPCs and completinga vast multitude of questsand individual storylines.
For fans of the tabletop gameD&D,Baldur’s Gate 3is a game that perfectly encapsulates what it would be like for a real campaign to turn into an actual video game…because that’s exactly what Larian Studios did when developing this amazing title. Players can choose from every class available inD&D5e, from wizards, to rogues, to barbarians or fighters. There are tons of combat possibilities for the player whenexploring the massive Sword Coast.
On top of the various classes, players are able to create their own character and choose from several unique species. Human, Githyanki, Elf, Halfling, and more are available, each with their own perks and benefits, with humans being the most diverse by far. Players make what they want out ofBaldur’s Gate 3,and destroy their enemies however they see fit.
InPokemon,players have hundreds of unique creatures right at their fingertips, each with distinct designs and with different stats and move sets. In terms of customization,Pokemonallows players to change just about anything in terms oftheir Pokemon’s stats,moves, and abilities, and gives them the freedom to mold their team as they see fit. In terms of being open-world, nearly every game feels that way after unlocking the entire map, and this allows players to freely Fly from city to city and explore as they like; recent entries to the series have been more open-world than ever, such asSwordandShield,ScarletandViolet,andLegends: Arceus.
Players can also engage in several different battle styles, from single battles to doubles, and even rotation battle. There is certainly no shortage of ways to do combat in this game, and players are free to build their team as they see fit. Teach Pokemon unique moves and give them abilities that power each other up; inPokemon,players can carefully craft theirideal competitive teamthat’s able to break through any obstacles laid out before them.
